Though there is a ban on any form of election campaign after 5 pm on 5 December in Telangana, advertisements – both by Telangana Rashtra Samiti and the People’s Front alliance – were splashed across the front pages of all newspapers in the state on Thursday, 6 December.
The advertisements, which appealed for votes, raised questions if they were in violation of the model code of conduct (MCC), which has been in place since 5 pm on Wednesday, 5 December. According to ECI, all election campaigns and exit polls are prohibited after 5 pm on 5 December.
However, Telangana Chief Electoral Officer Rajat Kumar clarified that it was not a poll violation. “The advertisements are pre-certified, so I do not think they are in violation of the MCC,” he said, addressing the media on Thursday, 6 December.